Chapter Eight

Beer bottles shatter as Robert kicks them on his way into one of the shipment rooms on the far side of the docks. Anna's legs continue to lock around his torso as his tongue plunges deeper into her mouth. He sits her on top of the crate and she yanks his belt from his pants with an urgency he has not seen since they were married.

His pants now bunched at his feet, he arches his hips and pulls her into his lap, as his boxers fall to the ground.

"Robert," she moans, as his mouth finds hers once more. She can feel his expert hands slide down her thigh and soon remove her red silk panties.

"Oh Annie, he cries as he kisses her hair, his fingers now sliding her dress down. With quick work of her fingers, she removes the last barrier of clothing and he pulls her up from the crate, their naked bodies now crashing against another wall.

As Anna's hands lift above her head, Robert's own fingers link with hers as he pulls her further into his arms. Her lips still taste of saltwater from the rain, and he can hear the rapid beating of her heart as it catches up to his. They had long passed the point of no return.

"I need you Robert" she pants, her forehead against his. "God, how I need you."

That had always been what did him in…hearing her call his name in passion…telling him how much she needed him.

"Oh God Annie," he moans. "God you take my breath away."

Anna's nails dig into his skin as he plunges deep within her…her screams of pleasure buried in his shoulder. As the rain continued to drown out the world, Robert and Anna continued to plunge so deep inside each other that neither of them knew where he ended and she began.

They did not speak of what happened between them when Anna walked into the police station the next day, or the day after. Now it was a week later and they still did not speak of it. He wanted to tell her that he could not stop thinking of her but he knew it would go against the promise they made each other to forget that it ever happened. It was for the best. They just got caught up in the moment.

Holly had asked him why he was being so distant if he wanted to work things out; he was not sure how to answer that. He told himself a million times that he was doing the right thing. That loving Anna had cost him too much in the past. It was true but it did not make him love her any less either.

"Robert?"

He looks up from his desk, immediately brought out of his daydreams by Anna's voice.

"Good Morning Luv."

He hands her a cup of coffee and she sits in the seat across from her. She wishes she could tell him that it does not hurt to watch him love another woman. She wishes she knew what any of this meant.

"Are you angry with me," she asks him.

"Of course not. Why would you ask that?"

"Well you haven't exactly been speaking to me lately."

"I haven't been sleeping very well. I'm sorry."

She smiles at him. She knows why he has not been sleeping. She has not been sleeping either. She would not tell him that though.

"So we're good, "she asks him? "Still Friends?"

"Always," he answers.

She would not ask him why he did not file divorce papers if he wanted to work things out with Holly…She was still hoping he would change his mind.

"Good…we really need to start figuring out how we are going to find Faison. None of us will be able to move on if he is still out there. I am scared Robert. If he finds out where I am, he's going to kill me or worse."

"I am not letting him take you away from me again Anna. You will just have to stay with me until we can find him and deal with him."

"Oh Really? And just when did you plan on discussing this with your other wife," Holly snaps, as she walks inside.

"Holly, I'm…I'm sorry. "

"You have been saying that a lot lately."

"I mean it. I am trying to stop a very dangerous man here. I cannot leave Anna Vulnerable again. I would never be able to live with myself."

"Robert, you don't…you don't have to do this," Anna states.

"And what happens if he knows where you are…we don't know what we are dealing with. This is not up for negotiation. We have plenty of room at the house."

"Like your bed right," Holly retorts.

"Holly."

"You know what…forget it. I came here to ask you to lunch but I am no longer in the mood. Do what you want. You always do anyways."

After Holly storms out, Anna puts a hand on Robert's shoulder.

"I'm sorry Robert. I'm ruining your life again."

"Don't say that okay. This is my fault. I cannot seem to do anything right in her eyes. I am a terrible husband. She is right of course. I just do not know what to do anymore. The worst part is that I am hurting you too. I am trying Anna. It just seems like no matter what I do, it is going to hurt someone. Maybe Holly is right. Maybe I really am a terrible person. Maybe I don't deserve either of you."

Anna watches him walk away and she knows that he is torturing himself with what he perceives as his shortcomings. As much as she hates that he did not immediately choose her, she understands his decision. The fact that Holly makes him feel ashamed for it makes her angry.

"Don't you dare do this to yourself Robert…You are a wonderful man. If Holly cannot see that then she is the one who does not deserve you. I know she is hurting too but…Robert you are not superman. You cannot fix everything for everyone. You deserve to be happy. Forget about Holly. Forget about me. You need to do what makes you happy. You are not a bad person. You are just a man. The greatest man I have ever known."

"Anna…"

"It's okay Robert…I'm here if you need me. Take some time to let this all sink in. We will talk about Faison more tomorrow. I need you at your full capacity when we do."

She kisses his cheek and walks back to her office.

She would be there for him…but she would not ask him to choose her. He needed to do that on his own…in his own time. She did not want him by default.